The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Assistive Technology is a tool that can enhance the way you study, work or conduct daily activities in your life. The workshop will provide an overview of the spectrum of assistive technology, from high-tech to low-tech, and share insights on accessing readily available assistive technology resources in local communities through a community resource mapping process. Assistive Technology is a tool that can enhance the way you study, work or conduct daily activities in your life.  It is also part of the road map to post-secondary education and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Young adults with Autism who may have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction can benefit from the appropriate assistive technology recommendation and effective training on using the technology. 

To identify the most suitable assistive technology, it is critical to consider some of the characteristics often associated with Autism, which may include the engagement in repetitive activities, movement, adverse reaction to environmental change, and anxiety from with sensory input.  During the assistive technology evaluation process, a thorough analysis of the environment of the individual with Autism needs to be conducted.  Among the types of skills that the assistive technology can enhance include expressive communication skills, social interaction skills, attention skills, motivation skills, organization skills, academic skills, self help skills, and activities for independent daily living.  The full implementation of assistive technology in their natural environments will foster opportunities for success and quality of life at home, school, workplace and communities.  
The specific content areas that will be covered in this workshop include the following:

1. Define and demonstrate the uses and role of low-tech and high-tech assistive technology
   
2. Discuss traditional perception of people with disabilities in higher education and employment
   
3. Discuss innovative career paths
   
4. Describe current state infrastructure to address AT needs for transition age youth and adults
   
5. Outline public resources developed in each state through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended in 2004 and how individuals with disabilities and families can access these resources
   
6. Present available funding resources
   

The workshop will provide an overview of the programs and infrastructure developed by the federal and state government entities to address the assistive technology needs of transition age youth and adults with disabilities.  The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 reauthorized in 2004 mandated states to implement programs that would increase the access for individuals with disabilities to assistive technology by providing demonstration and equipment loan programs for state residents with disabilities and their family members.  Furthermore, the states also implemented low-interest rate financial loan programs and equipment recycling programs to help and reduce the cost burden of assistive technology on individuals with disabilities and their families.

In addition to discussion of assistive technology and state infrastructure, the workshop will share insights on accessing existing assistive technology resources in local communities through a community resource mapping process.  In many instances, the young adults with Autism, similar to their peers, are working with many entities within their community to coordinate services in order to pursue their goals.  The community mapping focuses on what communities have to offer by identifying assets and resources already available in the community that can be used for building a system centered on the young adult with Autism. The concept builds upon the strengths within a community and develops strategic partnerships to achieve common goals.  It serves as catalyst for joint planning, service development, and resource and cost sharing.

Learning Objectives: